how do you know your septic system is failing?

Answer 1

Hello -

Well, with normal operation here's a simple breakdown. You should have 2 septic tanks and a leach field. The first septic tank is where the solids (poopoo) is caught. The liquids from that should properly run into the second septic tank. Then the second septic tank has a level where the liquids run into the leach field and soak into the ground.
If you don't get your septic tank pumped out once every 2 years, the solids could spill into the liquid tank and then spill into the leach field which could possibly clog the tubes that connect the two and leach field itself. Then that's where the back ups begin eg: tubs, showers, toilets then could overflow into your floors. Of course that is the worse case scenario.

Now septic tanks do operate at full capacity. The tanks have baffles and transfer tubes located at certain levels (depending on the tank). The solids are what you are concerned with getting pumped out. If you find the 1st tank is filled from top to bottom of the tank with solids, call a pumping company quick. You can tell this by using a 6-7 foot stick or piece of wood and stick in the tank. If it feels like pushing through mud then call a pumping company. If it feels watery, you should be fine.
Again - if you haven't pumped it in 2 years, or if you don't know when it was pumped, call a pumping company.

I hope this helps out.

Answer 2

By the time the system is failing, (wet spots in drain field, or even worse, the plumbing in the house backing up), you are in for some expensive repairs! The best cure is prevention.

Never put anything down the toilet except for human waste and toilet paper. Feminine hygene products should be wrapped up in a plastic bag and put out with the household trash. Don't pour grease down the kitchen sink, pour the grease and fat into a tin can, covered in the refregerator. When the can gets full warp it up in a plastic bag and put it out with the trash. Use liquid laundry detergent. The powders leave some residue that will fill up the tank quicker.
Ditto for dishwasher detergents, if you are on septic, the gels are better.

Have your tank pumped on a regular basis. If you pump too often you won't hurt anything, but if not often enough, the sediment will build up to the point where it leaves the tank and clogs the drain field, requiring an expensive repair.

How often you need to pump depends on the size of your tank and how many people are in your household. If you have a small tank (under 1000 gallons) and a large family, you may have to pump every year. If you are single (like myself) and have a larger tank, you can go 15 years between pump outs. If you don't know when your tank was last pumped, get it pumped now! Your pumping contractor can tell you the size of your tank, and you can then tell when you will need it to be pumped again based on the size of your household.

Answer 3

Well Jim, to your question: how do you now if your septic system is failing.... well jim if you have had to pump your septic system in just a short period of time could tell you possibly that your system is failing. your septic system works in this way ,the sewer main, from your house is connected to your tank and when water comes into your tank water distributes to your leach line or possibly your dry well. first thing you should check on is at the lid of your septic tank when you open it, is the water level higher than the concrete tank? this is also another possible indication your system is failing some septic tanks have two sides, is your septic pumper cleaning both sides if not there could possibly be solids on what is called the liquid side of your tank. Always keep up on maintaining your tank with septic system products. This will assure a more life to your system.

Answer 4

A 150 gallon system ( if this isn't a typo) is no where's near the proper amount for four adults and two children. This isn't enough for two adults. You should have a 1500 gallon tank at least and a 200 sq. ft. system. this is an estimate. This is what I have and mine was pumped for the first time after over 22 years last Fall. Two adults and four kids lived here four many years, then we lived here for twelve years, two of them with three adults and four kids. We all took showers every night, some took baths. The washing machine was always going. I suggest you get an expert out there, a service man that knows what he's doing and have him give you an estimate on what's what.

Answer 5

Septic System Failure Signs

Answer 6

Not sure about this but we lived on a rural block with a septic tank for over 10 years. After about 5 years started getting large wet areas at end of outfall lines. called a Plumber/Drainlayer who advised the only problem was the amount of water being put down the lines(sewage/greywater - not stormwater)
We had 7 in household(equiv 5 adults 2 children) as the older children left the problem fixed itself

Answer 7

When the yard begins to develop wet spots, when those wet spots are odorous, when you notice slow draining of your sinks, bath tub or shower. If one treats a septic system correctly it should last for years without a problem. Refrain from using a garbage disposal unit, pour no fatty substances down the drain, wipe out frying pans with paper toweling prior to washing and use water sparingly.

Answer 8

You have to get it emptied 2x in a short period of time. When there is a puddle of waste over where the tank is. When it backs up into your house. When it smells like an open sewer outside frequently.

You can try dumping root killers in the system, getting it pumped, then adding Rid-x. Make sure that roof run off doesn't go directly over your tank, and that you don't have any leaky faucets, those kill systems dead.

But if you get puddles and you are in drought territory, skip the extras - you'll need it to pay for a new one.

Answer 9

When it won't go down anymore. Simple. Call the man, have him pump it and give you an idea as to how your system is.

Answer 10

field bed needs flushed out!